Canada, US, Mexico to cooperate on climate change

Ottawa, Feb 13 (IANS) Canada, the US and Mexico signed a deal in Winnipeg, Canada, on Friday to tap into energy cooperation among the three countries, National Resources Canada said.

The Memorandum of Understanding on Climate Change and Energy Collaboration was signed at the North American Energy Ministers Meeting, which was hosted by Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources Jim Carr, with the attendance of US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and Mexican Secretary of Energy Pedro Joaquin Coldwell, Xinhua reported.

“The Memorandum of Understanding we signed today reflects our governments’ shared vision for a future where an expanding clean energy sector, a sustainable environment and a strong economy go hand in hand,” said the Canadian minister.

Under the memorandum, the three countries will collaborate and share information in key areas such as low-carbon electricity, clean energy technologies, energy efficiency, carbon capture, use and storage, climate change adaptation, and reducing emissions from the oil and gas sector, including from methane.

They will also work together to increase policy alignment and ensure that the North American energy sector is developed responsibly, effectively and efficiently.

During the meeting, the three ministers discussed the importance of trilateral cooperation and the continental approach to energy.

They also launched a web platform featuring new energy maps, which for the first time depict North American energy resources, production and infrastructure in a single place. It will be helpful to energy users and stakeholders.

Among Canada, the United States and Mexico, 167 billion Canadian dollars ($120 billion) worth of energy products were traded in 2015 across the continent, highlighting the importance of North American energy cooperation.

On November 30, 2015, Canada, the US and Mexico announced their participation in Mission Innovation, along with 17 other countries. Participating governments have committed to doubling their investments in clean energy research and development over five years.